Elijah Cummings was an American politician best known for serving as the U.S. Representative for Maryland. He gained national attention through his leadership roles in Congress and his critiques of immigration policies during the Trump administration, which drew public responses from then-President Donald Trump.
Elijah Eugene Cummings was born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was also raised. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Howard University, where he served as Student Government President and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. Over the course of his career, he received 13 honorary doctoral degrees from institutions across the United States, recognizing his contributions to public service.
Cummings dedicated his life to public service and advocacy. He began his political journey in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he became the first African American in Maryland history to serve as Speaker Pro Tem. In 1996, he was elected to represent Maryland's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he held until his passing in 2019.
Throughout his career, Cummings was known for championing civil rights, access to education, environmental protection, and fiscal responsibility. He frequently emphasized that children are “the living messages we send to a future we will never see,” highlighting his commitment to creating a better future for the next generation.
In July 2019, Elijah Cummings came under public fire from President Donald Trump following his vocal criticisms of conditions for migrants at the southern U.S. border. In a series of tweets, President Trump disparaged Cummings and his congressional district, referring to Baltimore as “very dangerous and filthy,” and claiming it was among “the worst run” in the country. These comments were widely condemned and viewed as politically and racially charged. Cummings responded with continued advocacy for his district and for humane immigration policies.
In 2008, Elijah Cummings married Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, a policy consultant, entrepreneur, and chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. Although they did not have children together, they were regarded as a devoted and supportive couple throughout their marriage.
Prior to his marriage to Maya, Cummings was married to Joyce Cummings, with whom he had a daughter, Jennifer J. Cummings. He also had a son and a daughter from previous relationships, maintaining a close relationship with his children throughout his life.
| Birth Date: | 18 Jan, 1951 |
| Age: | 69 yrs |
| Occupations: | Politician Lawyer Judge |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Baltimore |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | U.S. Representative from Maryland (1951-2019) |
| Spouse: | Maya Rockeymoore |
| Net Worth 2021: | 1.3 million |
